Great Plains Daily Devotional for 7/24/2020

Rev. 2:25

Just hold on to what you have until I come.

Sometimes I get extremely irritated by the actions of someone close to me. I feel that I have the right to say, “I have something against you,” just as Christ did to the church in Thyatira. I looked up the passage for guidance about what to do with this feeling.

I was surprised to find the complaint among praises to the church. They were praised for their love, their faith, their perseverance. Their good deeds were constantly improving What else can a church do? What was left to criticize? It turns out that they tolerated the presence of a teacher who led people into immorality and the worship of idols.

My next surprise was to learn that Christ himself had given her many chances to repent, and she had refused. He promised to punish her and her disciples. To the church he said,” I will expect nothing new from you, but hold on tight to the good that you have, and you will be rewarded with authority.”

Those words made with think about the grudge I was holding. I was angry because someone had done their service to God imperfectly. This one was not leading anyone away from God. It was my own mind that focused on shortcoming. I was not giving praise that someone was serving God. I had already spoken with them about this shortcoming. It was time for me to repent. Now, I pray for this person, I praise God for service offered in good faith.

Prayer for Reflection

Genesis 28:10-19a
Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24
Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43